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Thickness Planer (surface planer)

1. Proper eye protection must be worn when using the S. S. (Single Surface) Thickness Planer.EXPLANATION: This protects the eyes from danger created by flying particles and accidental moves by others.

2. Get permission from the teacher each time before using the S. S. Thickness Planer.EXPLANATION: This creates order and keeps unqualified students from operating power tools.

3. Be sure that workpiece is free from loose knots, paint, nails, screws, cracks or other defects.EXPLANATION: The planer was designed to cut clean lumber. Paint will jam the works. Metal and defects can cause kickbacks.

4. Material must be at least 12” long.EXPLANATION: Feed rollers before and after cutter must engage the wood continuously to push it through safely.

5. A common practice of removing a maximum of 1/16” depth from wood will be followed. Use planer within its capacity.EXPLANATION: Cuts beyond planer capacity labor the machine and produce extra wear and wood tearing instead of cutting.

6. Stand to one side of the planer when it is operating. Do not look into the planer or stand directly behind it.EXPLANATION: If a kickback occurs, it will occur at this location of entry into the planer.

7. Keep hands away from infeed table and do not put fingers under the boards entering planer.EXPLANATION: Machine action of planer can hurt. Fingers can be trapped between infeed table and board.

8. A helper may assist at the outfeed side but never grasp and pull the lumber if it delays in feeding through planer.EXPLANATION: The helpers strength is much
below the grabbing capacity of the planer; he may get a hand full of
splinters or fall backwards out of control.

9. If lumber delays in feeding through the planer,
two actions will prove helpful: [1] on outfeed side move board from
left to right several times; [2] turn planer off and ask the teacher to
assist you.EXPLANATION: Use the power and mechanics of the machine to best feed the material through.

10. Allow the material to travel completely through the planer before making any additional depth of cut adjustment.EXPLANATION: A change in setting during operation will strain the planer and create a change in the surface level of lumber.

11. After using the planer, turn off the power and stand by until it comes to a complete stop.EXPLANATION: A moving cutterhead with another operator making new depth settings could cause personal injury or damage to the machine.

12. Remove all exposed glue before planing.EXPLANATION: Glue is brittle and hard in a dried state. It can damage the cutting action of the knives.

REFERENCES: Pictures and more information on planers can be found in these books: